Marilyn Kolean

Marilyn was born in Holland, Michigan, on February 13, 1932, to Neal and Cornelia Plagenhoef. She

was married to George Kolean Jr. for 69 years and had 4 children. The most important things to

Marilyn were cultivating her faith and relationship with Jesus, her family and friends, and serving

others while reflecting the love and compassion of Jesus. She also had a passion for serving at

church. Marilyn was a charter/founding member of Fellowship Reformed Church of Holland, where

she served for many years as a Sunday school teacher and Bible study leader.

With her high energy level and zest for life, it was easy for her to juggle several things such as caring

for her family and friends, sharing her gift of hospitality, volunteering, and working in various

positions outside the home. Friends and family constantly sought her out for her wise counsel and

encouragement. She had a strong spiritual gift to see the positive in everyone, to discern the silver

lining, and to count all her blessings.

Marilyn believed the “most important job in the world” was raising her children, but she also enjoyed

working outside the home and started at an early age. In middle school, she worked at the first Russ’

restaurant on 8 th Street (in Holland). In high school, she worked in logistics at Brook’s Transfer and

also wrote articles for “The Holland Sentinel” as well as for a publication called, “The Observer.”

Later in life, Marilyn worked at Jack’s Place restaurant and Cal’s Ice Cream, she was a teacher’s

assistant for three years, worked at pharmacies for nine years, was an in-home caregiver for five

years, and Marilyn’s last career was at Lakeside Vista Retirement Home, where she worked for 22

years and retired from when she was almost 80.

Marilyn looked at every position she held as a “mission field for Jesus” and was also available

wherever she went in day-to-day life to be an encouragement and spread the contagious joy of Jesus

who shined through her.

Because of her servant’s heart, in 1972 she felt led to be one of five founders of Birthright of Holland

Pregnancy Center, which is now known as Positive Options and has locations in four cities. At

Birthright, Marilyn served in every leadership role, such as treasurer, secretary, and president.

Marilyn was also a skilled, compassionate counselor at Birthright, serving those who were facing

unexpected pregnancies. She would always credit her counseling ability to the Holy Spirit and would

often say throughout her life, “The Holy Spirit is the perfect Teacher and Counselor.”

Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband, George Kolean Jr, and her brothers, Roger

Plagenhoef and James Plagenhoef. Marilyn is survived by her 4 children and their spouses, Diane

(John) Taylor, Dave (Tammy) Kolean, Brenda Gamby, and Julie (Shawn) Von Ins, and has several grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great, great grandchildren. Marilyn is also survived by 2

siblings, Dr. Richard Plagenhoef and Sally (Plagenhoef) Morris.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 12:00pm on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at Fellowship Reformed

Church, 2165 W. Lakewood Blvd., Holland, MI 49424, followed by a light lunch. The celebration of life will be livestreamed on a link that will be posted at https://www.fellowshipreformed.org/

or can be accessed at this link: https://www.fellowshipreformed.org/livestream

The visitation will start at 10:00am, just prior to the Celebration of Life, also held at Fellowship Reformed Church of Holland. A private burial service will be held for immediate family at Lakewood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Positive Options, Hospice of Holland, and

Fellowship Reformed Church of Holland.

Please visit www.lakeshorememorial.com for further information.